From legendary lochs to crumbling castles, the Scottish Highlands will surprise you at every turn
The Highlands is the Scotland you imagine when you close your eyes. It’s the moody skies above a wild and rugged coastline; tiny cottages at the foothills of soaring mountains, and fascinating folklore that has inspired artists and poets for centuries. Join your local guide to track down Nessie on Loch Ness, explore pristine landscapes in Cairngorms National Park or marvel at ancient fortresses cloaked in history. Whether it's your first or tenth time in the Highlands, its charm will keep you coming back for more.
Enjoy a ‘wee dram’ at the Blair Athol distillery, where you’ll learn about the whisky process, and how Blair Athol’s source of water – the Allt Dour – passes through the Ben Vrackie slopes and contributes to the mellow quality and smooth finish of their malts.
Take a scenic boat ride over the deep, murky waters of Loch Ness while keeping your eyes peeled for its famous inhabitant, AKA Nessie the Loch Ness Monster. According to local legend, she has a long neck, a snake-like head and a green body with black humps on her back.
It’s not every day you get to experience one of the world's greatest rail journeys. Jump aboard a train from Fort William to Mallaig to enjoy some of Scotland's most gorgeous scenery on the West Highland Railway, including a crossing of the iconic Glenfinnan Viaduct which you may recognise from its appearance in the Harry Potter movies.
With a breathtaking coastline, misty sea lochs and unique landscapes with names like ‘Fairy Glen’, the Isle of Skye will cast a spell on you. It’s also a great place to see wildlife including gorgeous hairy coos (highland cows), red deer, otters and dolphins. Wrap up a day of exploring with a cosy pub dinner in the colourful town of Portree Bay followed by a dram of whisky from a local distillery.
Cairngorms is the UK’s largest national park. In fact, it’s twice the size of the Lake District. But don’t expect only to find postcard-perfect lochs, ancient castles and lush forests (as if that wasn’t enough). You'll also find whisky distilleries and a thriving pub scene where you can enjoy Highlands culture and hospitality.
Perfectly perched on a small tidal island surrounded by mountains, Eilean Donan Castle is like something from a fairy tale. Although the castle you see today was rebuilt from ruins in the 1930s due to destruction caused during the Jacobite uprisings, its history dates back to the 6th century. If the walls could talk, they'd have a few wee tales to share.
Jump on the Nevis Range Gondola to reach a height of 650 metres on the mountain of Aonach Mor. Breathe in fresh mountain air while soaking up panoramic vistas of the Scottish Highlands' rolling peaks, glens and lochs. On a clear day, you can see as far as the Inner Hebrides.
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Scotland's Orkney Islands
Joanna · Traveled August 2024
The Orkney Islands are rugged and beautiful and this trip allowed us to soak in a lot of its amazing history from the Neolithic to the Norse Earls to WWII. I recommend plenty of warm and waterproof clothing and layers for the rapidly changing weather!
Review submitted 22 Aug 2024
Classic Walks of Scotland
John · Traveled August 2024
The trip was a great way to see and experience Highlands walking! The leaders were great and the group friendly and social. It was a thoroughly enjoyable way to hike in Scotland.
Review submitted 19 Aug 2024
Classic Walks of Scotland
chiara · Traveled August 2024
The trip Classic Scotland with Intrepid travel has been a really great experience, Despite the rain and midgets , the hikes have been truly amazing, incredible scenery where you feel one with nature. Our guides Rory and Alan have been also very helpful, knowledgeable and always very approachable. The guesthouse where we were staying a great place place to come back to rest after the hikes. Climbing Ben Nevis is quite challenging due to the steep hikes, the rocky paths and the very cold weather reaching the top. But an incredible and rewarding experience. I would recommend this trip happily to everyone.
Review submitted 20 Aug 2024
Classic Walks of Scotland
Margaret · Traveled August 2024
Despite it being the rainiest summer in Scotland since 1969, this week of Classic Walks was fantastic. Midgies and all. From the West Highland Way to trudging up Ben Nevis, I recommend this beatuiful week of walking wholeheartedly. Guides kept us well taken care of, breakfasts were delicious, and it was super fun to be with such a lovely group of international folk. Am already thinking about my next Intrepid trip.
Review submitted 24 Aug 2024
Classic Walks of Scotland
Stephanie · Traveled August 2024
I loved this trip and would recommend without reservation! I was concerned about the level of fitness required but after a month or two of my regular gym work outs with some hiking targeted work outs added on, it was definitely feasible! This was my first solo trip with a group like this and I’ll definitely be back!
Review submitted 30 Aug 2024
Scottish Highlands travel FAQs
The Scottish Highlands refers to the north-western part of Scotland. The region stretches from Fort William up to the Isle of Skye on the coast, and Durness in the far north-west to Inverness in the east.
If you’re travelling from overseas, the closest airports to fly to are Glasgow International Airport (GLA) or Edinburgh International Airport (EDI). From here, you can hire a car, catch a bus or take a train to one of the cities or towns in the Highlands.
If you're travelling from the UK, you can take a train or coach to Fort William or Inverness and transfer to a local train or bus to get around the Highlands.
If you have a car, driving is the easiest way to get around the Highlands and explore at your own pace.
Don’t worry if you don't have a car, as the main places and sights in the Highlands are pretty well connected with public transport.
Trains operate between all of the main cities including Inverness, Aviemore and Fort William (and all of the towns in between).
If trains aren’t available for where you want to go, chances are you can take a local bus or coach with Stagecoach, Scottish Citylink or the National Express.
You can also take a ferry as a foot passenger or with your car to get to the Highlands’ many islands.
Billy Connolly once said, “There are two seasons in Scotland: June and Winter”. And he’s not entirely wrong. The weather can be very hit and miss even during the summer.
The best time to visit if you want a chance of good weather is during the summer between June and August when the days are long and the weather is at its mildest.
Visiting in the colder months can also be a great time to see snow-capped mountains and get cosy in the pub around a log fire.
No matter what time of year you visit, it’s best to be prepared for rain and chilly weather.
For a trip to the Highlands, or anywhere else in Scotland, bring plenty of comfortable clothing that will see you through long days of walking, exploring and visiting attractions.
The weather is pretty unpredictable, and even if the forecast says it will be warm or dry, it could (and probably will) change.
Bring a waterproof jacket, a warm coat, gloves, a hat and a scarf. A waterproof day sack can also come in quite handy to protect your phone and personal items if the heavens open while you're out walking.
The Scottish Highlands covers a pretty big area, including mountain ranges.
Internet access and mobile phone coverage is fine in villages, towns and main tourist hubs, but it might be a little patchy in more remote areas or at higher elevations.
We are committed to making travel widely accessible, regardless of ability or disability. We do our best to help you see the world, regardless of physical or mental limitations.
We are always happy to talk to travellers with disabilities and see if we can help guide them toward the most suitable itinerary for their needs and, where possible, make reasonable adjustments to our itineraries.